Cost of Living in Riverwoods, IL

Population 3,988 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

253
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Riverwoods run well above the national baseline, with a median of $796,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $243,036 place the city among the better-paid Illinois metros. An unemployment rate of 0.9% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 25 miles east of Elgin, Riverwoods falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 215% higher than Elgin's $252,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 261
Rent 242

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Riverwoods

The median home value in Riverwoods is $796,100 — 161% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $3,175/month, 142% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $243,036/year is 226% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.9%, below the national average of 4.8%. Illinois's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Riverwoods has a cost of living index of 253 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 153% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$796,100
161% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$196,173
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$3,175/mo
142% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,033/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$651
1 BR
$741
2 BR
$899
3 BR
$1,196
4 BR
$1,364
Owner-occupied 96.0%
Renter-occupied 4.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$3,175
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $3,789/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
39.4 min
46% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
29.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
61.8%
Carpooled
2.4%
Public transit
4.1%
Walked
1.5%
Work from home
29.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.0%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 2.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$243,036
226% above avg
Per Capita Income
$112,114
Unemployment Rate
0.9%
82% below avg
Poverty Rate
0.9%
Labor Force Participation
57.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 38.7%
Graduate degree 37.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 50.1
Male median age 51.1
Female median age 49.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
74.9%
Good air days/yr
179
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
243
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Riverwoods, IL?

Riverwoods has a cost index of 253 (100 = national average). It is 153% above the national average.

What is average rent in Riverwoods, IL?

The median gross rent in Riverwoods is $3,175 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Riverwoods?

The median home value in Riverwoods is $796,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Riverwoods?

The median household income in Riverwoods is $243,036 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Riverwoods, IL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Riverwoods is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Riverwoods, IL affordable?

Riverwoods is above average in cost of living, with an index of 253 — about 153% higher than the national average.

Riverwoods at a Glance

Population
3,988
Median Income
$243,036
Home Value
$796,100
Median Rent
$3,175/mo
Unemployment
0.9%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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